Compact modular wireless control devices

Abstract

A modular controller system. The novel modular controller system includes a plurality of control modules, each module including a plurality of controls; a first mechanism for mechanically connecting the control modules; a second mechanism for communicating with a mobile device; and a program stored in and executed by the mobile device for receiving data from the control modules and in accordance therewith generating output data. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a docking module for holding and interfacing with the mobile device, and the docking module and control modules each include a housing having physical features for mechanically connecting the modules together and electrical connectors in the physical features for transferring data and power between modules. The program generates output data in response to the data received from the control modules to control an application running on the mobile device.

1 . A modular controller system comprising:
 a plurality of control modules, each module including a plurality of controls;   first means for mechanically connecting said modules;   second means for communicating data from said control modules to a mobile device; and   third means operable by said mobile device for receiving said data from said control modules and in accordance therewith generating output data.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said first means includes physical features on each module adapted to connect with mating features on another module. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said first means includes tongue and groove features in a housing of each module. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said second means includes electrical connectors for transferring data between modules. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein said first means further includes a hinge apparatus for connecting two modules via said physical features. 
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said hinge apparatus includes electrical connectors for connecting with said electrical connectors on said modules to transfer data between modules through said hinge apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein said electrical connectors include USB connectors in said physical features. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein said electrical connectors include a USB receptacle in each module and a detachable USB connector apparatus having a USB plug adapted to connect to said receptacle in said module and a USB connector adapted to connect with a mating USB connector in another connector apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said second means includes a docking module for holding and interfacing with said mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 9  wherein said docking module includes physical features adapted to connect to said physical features on said control modules. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 10  wherein said docking module includes electrical connectors for transferring data from said control modules to said mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said third means includes a program stored in and executed by said mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said third means generates output data for controlling an application running on said mobile device. 
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said mobile device is a cellular phone. 
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said controls include MIDI controls. 
     
     
         16 . A modular controller system comprising:
 a plurality of control modules, each module including a plurality of controls and adapted to generate control messages in response to user actions on said controls, wherein each module includes a housing having physical features for mechanically connecting said modules; and   a program stored in and executed by a mobile device for receiving said control messages from said control modules and in accordance therewith generating output data for controlling an application running on said mobile device.   
     
     
         17 . A computer implemented method for controlling an application on a mobile device including the steps of:
 receiving control messages from a plurality of control modules and   generating output data in response to said control messages for controlling said application running on said mobile device.   
     
     
         18 . A method for controlling an application on a mobile device including the steps of
 providing a plurality of control modules, each module including a plurality of controls and adapted to generate control messages in response to user actions on said controls, wherein each module includes a housing having physical features for mechanically connecting said modules;   connecting said control modules together via said physical features;   communicating said control messages from said control modules to a mobile device; and   receiving said control messages and in accordance therewith generating output data for controlling an application running on said mobile device.